Safety attachment for automobiles.



T. B. JBFPERY, DECD. K. 11.. O. T. & H. W. JEFFREY. EXBOUTOBB. SAFETY ATTAGHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

- APPLICATION FILED M10. 30, 1909.

Patented May 14, 1912.

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.HH III II J v I 7%??? ems ea UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS B. JEFFERY, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN; KATE E. JEFFERY. CHAHIES 1. JEFFERY, AND HAROLD W. JEFFERY EXECUTORS 0F SAID THOMAS B. JEFFERY,

DECEASED.

SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

' Before crankng an automobile engine it s always the intention of the operator to have the condition of the machinery such that the automobile will not start as soon as the engine begins to operate. However, through accident or carelessness, it sometimes happens that the controlling mechanism is left in aposition wherein the engine is connected to the driving wheels so that the automobile will begin to move as soon as the engine starts, thereby makingthe position of the person who is cranking an extremely dangerous one.

The object of the present invention s to provide a safety device so that it is impossible for the engine to start unless it is'disconnected from the driving wheels of the automobile.

The various features of novelty whereby my invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claim; but for a fullliiiderstanding of my invention and of its object and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection wit-h the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the front portion of the frame or chassis of an automobile which is equipped in accordance with one form of my invention; and Fig. 2 is a side View on an enlarged scale showing a fragment of the safety device.- Referring to the drawing, A represents the frame of an automobile, B the engine, C the speed changing gearing, and D a starting crank. These pargs may take any usual or preferred form In the arrangement shown the crank is of the type which has a series of ratchet teeth (Z which are adapted to mesh with similar teeth 6 on the engine'shaft E. Normally the two setsof ratchet teeth are out of engagement with Specification of Letters Patent Application filed December 30, 1909.

Patented Mn I it. 1912.

serial No. 535,605.

each other but when it is desired to rank the engine the crank is forced inwardly to cause the teeth to intermesh.

F is a controlling lever fer the speed changing gears, this mechanism being intended to represent that type wherein, when the lever is in the neutral position, the 'engine shaft is disconnected from the transmission shat't G.

In accordance with my invention I provide means arranged between the starting crank and the controlling lever for prcventing the starting crank from being carried into operative relation with the engine shaft unless the controlling lever in the neutralposition. that is, the position wherein a rotation of the engine shaft is not transmitted to the driving shaft G. Conscquentlv if the controlling lever is left in' any position other than neutral and the operator at tempts to crank the engine, he will be prevented from setting the engine in rotation and will be protected from injury due to starting of the automobile while he iscranking. It will, of course, be understood that this safety mechanism may take various forms and that that illustrated is simply one of such forms. In the arrangement shown I have provided the shaft f. to which the controlling lever is connected, with a seg ment Hhaving therein a notch Ii.

I is a lever pivoted upon a bracket 11 supported from the frame in a position wherein one end is adapted to engage with the periphery of the segment.

K is a lever which is pivoted upon a suitable fixed support, as at a. near the crank shaft and has one end projecting behind a collar (Z on the crank shaft. The other end of the lever K is connected to one arm of the lever 1 by means of a rod L. The arrangement is such that a movement of the free end of the lever K toward the rear produces 'a corresponding movement of that end of the lever I which engages with the segment. The parts are also so proportioned that when the lever I engages with the segment at any other point than when it is seated in the notch h the free end of the lever K is unable to move backward far enough to perunit the teeth on the crank shaft'to mesh with the tcethon the shaft of the engine. When the controlling lever F occupies the neutralposition the notch 71. is adapted to;

lie directly behind the free end of the lever I 'opies of this patent may he obtained for single em'bodimentof my invention, I do not desire to be limitedto the structural details described, but intend to cover all forms andarrangements which fall Within .the terms employed in the definitions of my invention constituting the appended claim;

What I claim is: In an automobile having an engine and a controlling lever, a starting c'rank for the engine movable between an operative position and an idle position, a pivoted lever having one end projecting into proximity to said starting crank and movable between positions corresponding to the two positions of the crank,'a disk movable with the control ling lever, said disk having a notch in its periphery, and means extending from the other end of said lever into proximity to said disk the parts being so. proportioned and arranged that the disk locks said lever in the position to hold the crank in its inoperative position except when the notch in the diskoccupies a predetermined position.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

4 "'rHoMAs B. JEFFERY. Witnesses;

WM. F. FREUDENREIOH, RUBY V. BRYDGES.

five centsleach, by addressing the Qommissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0. 

